holiday recipes from residents

The holiday season is upon us, bringing a sense of togetherness, warmth and the joy of sharing delicious meals with loved ones. As we gather around the table, it’s important to remember the significant role that cooking plays, particularly when it comes to older adults.

Cooking for seniors, or even better, seniors cooking, is more than just preparing a meal; it’s a way to nourish the body and soul and encourages older adults to maintain their independence, engage their minds and stay active. Cooking also helps create meaningful holiday memories and fosters intergenerational connections.

In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of cooking for seniors, why it’s essential and how it can enhance the holiday season. We’ll also share — thanks to three Beatitudes Campus residents — family recipes for cranberry relish, Mexican meatball soup and potato pancakes.

The Importance of Seniors Cooking

Cooking for seniors is more than just a culinary task; it’s an opportunity for creativity, engagement and empowerment. As we age, maintaining a sense of independence and purpose is essential. Cooking provides seniors with a meaningful and enjoyable activity that can boost their overall well-being.

When seniors take the reins in the kitchen, they exercise cognitive functions, from memory to problem-solving, which can help prevent cognitive decline. Following and learning recipes, making choices about ingredients, and mastering new cooking techniques are all mentally stimulating activities that contribute to a healthier brain.

Cooking for seniors is also an excellent way to maintain dexterity and mobility. Chopping, stirring and navigating the kitchen requires physical effort that can help keep joints and muscles active. It’s a form of gentle exercise that benefits overall mobility.

Nourishing Body and Soul

Beyond the joy of creating holiday memories, seniors cooking can have a direct impact on their nutrition and health. Homemade meals are often healthier and more tailored to individual dietary needs than prepackaged or restaurant-prepared food. Seniors can choose ingredients that suit their specific health requirements, making it easier to manage conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure or dietary restrictions.

The act of cooking also promotes mindfulness. Preparing a meal involves being present in the moment, focusing on the task at hand and enjoying the sensory experience of cooking. This mindful approach to meals can enhance the enjoyment of food and promote healthier eating habits.

Benefits of Cooking for Seniors in Their Home

Cooking for seniors in their home has its own unique set of advantages. It allows seniors to feel a strong connection to their living space, fostering a sense of comfort and security. Being in familiar surroundings makes the cooking process less stressful and more enjoyable.

With seniors cooking at home, they’re free to choose what they prepare and how they do it. This sense of control is empowering and can boost self-esteem. It’s an opportunity to experiment with new recipes, revisit old family favorites or even create their own signature dishes.

Creating Holiday Memories Through Cooking

The holiday season is a perfect time to highlight the benefits of cooking and to cherish the memories it creates. Cooking for seniors or cooking with seniors can be an intergenerational bonding experience. It’s a way for families to come together, learn from one another and create lasting memories.

Quality time: The process of cooking can be a relaxing experience. It’s a time to catch up, share stories and enjoy each other’s company while preparing a meal. The conversations and laughter in the kitchen are often as memorable as the dishes themselves.

Traditional dishes: The holiday season is all about tradition, and cooking for seniors often involves making dishes that are beloved during this time of year. Whether it’s baking holiday cookies or roasting a turkey, these rituals create a sense of continuity and comfort. Tip: If you need holiday recipe inspiration, there are plenty of ideas on The Food Network, Delish and The Pioneer Woman.

Food as a love language: Sharing a meal prepared with love is one of the most profound ways to express care and affection. It’s a way to show older adults they are cherished and valued, fostering emotional connections and boosting their overall sense of well-being.

Passing down family recipes: Many families have cherished recipes passed down through generations. Cooking these dishes allows older adults to share their culinary wisdom and family history. And, teaching younger generations these recipes ensures they are preserved for the future.

Beatitudes Bonding in the Kitchen

This holiday season at Beatitudes Campus, residents are rolling up their sleeves, donning aprons and whipping up delicious dishes. And they’re doing more than just savoring the flavors; they’re honoring traditions by sharing their family recipes for cranberry relish, Mexican meatball soup and potato pancakes.

Grandma’s Fresh Cranberry Relish

Submitted by resident Cynthia Cielle

Ingredients:

One bag fresh, whole cranberries (about 4 cups)

One large navel orange (peeled and deseeded)

½ cup granulated sugar

Method:

  • Pulse ingredients in a food processor until chopped small, but not minced. A blender also works if divided in small batches.
  • Pour into bowl and refrigerate overnight

Albondigas Soup (Mexican Meatball Soup)

Submitted by resident Adela Serrano

“I remember how wonderful the house smelled when my mother was cooking. She liked to cook albondigas soup with cornbread during the cold months. Our extended family always wanted to come over when they knew she was making it. She didn’t measure the ingredients; she liked to taste as she cooked. I now realize what an excellent cook my mom was, as I have had the opportunity to taste other people’s cooking.”

Ingredients:

1 ½ pounds sirloin ground beef

1 ½ cups white rice

1 clove garlic (minced)

½ large white onion (diced)

½ cup cilantro (chopped)

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1 small can tomato sauce

1 tablespoon cooking oil

2 quarts of water

Method:

  • Add garlic, onion, cilantro, black pepper and salt to ground beef and knead well.
  • Form mixture into 2-inch meatballs and gently drop into boiling water.
  • Heat cooking oil in pan and lightly brown the rice.
  • Add rice to boiling water with meatballs.
  • Add tomato sauce.
  • Cover and simmer until meatballs and rice are cooked (about 30 minutes).

Potato Pancakes (Latkes)

Submitted by resident Phil Adelman

“Chanukah is an eight-day Jewish holiday with the menorah lit each day, commemorating the Maccabee victory and restoration of the Temple. It has become the traditional Jewish gift-giving holiday because of its occurrence close to Christmas and television advertising. At Beatitudes, we acknowledge Chanukah and have a Menorah displayed in each living area of the campus. The traditional foods for the holiday are jelly-filled donuts and potato latkes (pancakes). This is the recipe my family uses. If you don’t want to follow the recipe but want to taste a traditional latke, Trader Joe’s sells them in the frozen food section.”

Ingredients:

4 large raw potatoes (unpeeled but well-scrubbed)

2 teaspoons dried minced onion or ½ small onion

1 egg

1 teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

½ teaspoon baking powder

2 tablespoons flour or matzah meal

Vegetable oil for frying

Method:

  • Grate 4 large raw potatoes using a fine grating disc. Squeeze out excess water and transfer to a bowl.
  • Mix in 2 teaspoons dried minced onion (or ½ small onion), 1 egg, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon baking powder and 2 tablespoons flour or matzah meal.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a deep large skillet. For each latke, drop about 2 tablespoons of the mixture into the skillet.
  • Fry over medium heat until golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
  • Stir the batter before frying each new batch. Recipe makes about 15 pancakes. Add more oil to the pan as necessary.
  • Dig in while they’re warm! For sweet or savory pairings, enjoy them with applesauce, honey, jam, sour cream, smoked salmon, chives or fresh herbs.

Explore dining options at Beatitudes Campus to discover how we come together to enjoy great food and create wonderful memories, not only during the holiday season but throughout the year.

Featured Image: NDAB Creativity / Shutterstock